Aggression Toward Children
Children are the most frequent victims of reported dog bites and tend to be injured more severely than adults.
CLINICAL CATEGORIES/
MOTIVATION FOR AGGRESSION
Fear-related
Pain-related
Play-related
Conflict-related
Predatory
Territorial
Resource (food/toy/bed) guarding
DOG-ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS
Disease and associated irritability.
Pain-related aggression and resource guarding are the most common reasons for bites to familiar children < 6 years old. Generalized anxiety.
Fearful behavior.
Dog lying down, particularly under or on furniture.
Parent/littermate aggression.
ENVIRONMENTAL/SOCIAL RISK FACTORS
Younger children are most likely bitten by the family pet or other familiar dogs.
Presence of infants (risk of predatory attacks).
Presence of young children.
Presence of food, edible toys.
Punishment-based training.
Inadequate supervision by parents/caregivers.
History of growling, snapping, biting.
Hugging, kissing, bending over anxious, fearful, or conflict-aggressive dogs.
TREATMENT
SAFETY WITH FAMILIAR DOGS
Never leave infants or young children unsupervised with dogs. Securely separate infants from dogs when alone, if both asleep.
If one adult is present, separate the dog from young children.
If more than one adult is present, assign responsibility for one adult to the dog, and one to child.
Do not allow a child to approach or interact with a dog when the dog is lying down.
Do not allow a child to remove any object from the dog.
Do not allow a child to hug, kiss, bend over, or lie down beside a dog.
Separate dog when eating or chewing valued items.
SAFETY WITH UNFAMILIAR DOGS
Do not tether unsupervised.
Do not allow young children to interact with unfamiliar dogs.
Securely lock gates in yards.
Avoid underground electric fences, which do not prevent entry of children into the yard.
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION THROUGH LEARNING/TRAINING
Redirect dog’s attention: teach “look” or “touch” cues.
Establish a secure, separate “safe haven” for dogs.
Restrict fearful or reactive dogs on lead and offer food at a safe distance from children, to turn a negative situation into a positive one.
Do not rely on training alone; safe practices require prevention.
PREVENTION/AVOIDANCE
Do not rely on training alone to eliminate aggression.
Preventive measures are most important in management of canine aggression to children.
Even well-trained, socialized dogs may bite.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Family may not acknowledge risks..
Disease may aggravate aggression.
Family may not be compliant.
Psychotropic drugs may be unrealistically relied upon or ineffective.
Young children may be impulsive and difficult to control.
Anxiolytic drug may be indicated for dogs with generalized or situational anxiety or fearful behavior.
Contraindications – Psychotropic medication can increase agitation and anxiety or disinhibition aggression. Use with safety recommendations to prevent bites.
Aggressive behavior can often be reduced and controlled. However, lifetime compliance is needed.
Prognosis is poor if the social/physical environment cannot be controlled.
In some cases it may be necessary to rehome, while in others the dog’s behavior may improve as the child grows older.